Talk to your doctor about your medications, herbs, and dietary supplements. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to 1 week before the procedure.

You may be given antibiotics.

You may be given laxatives or an enema.

Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.

The night before, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia
will be given through an IV. It will block pain and keep you asleep through the surgery.

Description of the Procedure

An 8-10 inch incision will be made to open the abdomen. Surgical staples will divide the stomach vertically. The new stomach will be the shape of a slim banana. The rest of the stomach will be removed. Your new stomach can hold 50-150 mL (milliliters) of food—about 10% of what a normal adult stomach can hold.

Staples or stitches will be used to close the incision.

Immediately After Procedure

The breathing tube and catheter will be removed.

How Long Will It Take?

About 2 hours

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Average Hospital Stay

The usual length of stay is 4-6 days. If there are any problems, you will need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

You can expect the following after the procedure:

A small thin tube with a camera will be used to look down your throat and into your stomach to check for problems.

You will receive nutrition through an IV at first, but slowly start eating again.

Your bowels will work more slowly than usual. Chewing gum may help speed the process of your bowel function returning to normal.

While in the hospital, you may be asked to:

Use a device called an incentive spirometer to prevent breathing problems

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Bariatric surgery for severe obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at:
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm. Updated June 2011. Accessed December 18, 2015.

Gastric sleeve. University of California, San Diego Health System website. Available at:
http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/surgery/bariatric/weight-loss-surgery/gastric-sleeve/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed December 18, 2015.

The health information in this Health Library is provided by a third party. TriStar Health does not in any way create the content of this information. It is provided solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper medical care provided by a physician. Always consult with your doctor for appropriate examinations, treatment, testing, and care recommendations. Do not rely on information on this site as a tool for self-diagnosis. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.